Nigeria’s U20 Women’s National Team, the Falconets, departed the country for Poland on Monday night as they step up preparations for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
The team left Nigeria following the completion of their final camping and preparations in Abuja.
The two-time World Cup silver medallists secured their place at the tournament after a successful qualifying campaign against Rwanda, Senegal and Malawi. They defeated Rwanda 5-0 on aggregate, beat Senegal 3-1 on aggregate, before edging Malawi 3-2 on aggregate to book their ticket to Poland.
Following qualification, the Falconets embarked on an intensive final phase of preparations in Abuja, where attention was focused on physical fitness, tactical discipline, teamwork and mental readiness.
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Head Coach Moses Aduku expressed confidence in the squad, stating that the players had been adequately prepared both physically and mentally for the challenge ahead. He added that the Falconets are travelling to Poland with a strong winning mentality and the ambition of competing for the title.
Captain Joy Igbokwe also assured Nigerians that the team is determined to make the country proud. She called on Nigerians to continue believing in, praying for and supporting the Falconets, while promising that the players would give their best to bring smiles to the faces of Nigerians.
Nigeria will compete in Group F alongside Spain, China PR and New Caledonia.
The Falconets, who finished as runners-up at the 2010 and 2014 editions of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, will be aiming to go one step further in Poland and claim Nigeria’s first title in the competition.
Upon arrival in Poland on Tuesday,, the team will stay at Hotel Trzebnica in Trzebnica until Thursday, September 3, when they will move into the official FIFA hotel. During their stay at the hotel, the Falconets will continue to work on their tactical and technical preparations while acclimatising to the conditions ahead of their group-stage matches.
Nigeria will face Spain on September 7, China on September 10 and New Caledonia on September 13.
A total of 21 players will represent Nigeria at the tournament, with the country remaining the only African nation to have participated in every edition of the competition since its launch as an U19 tournament in Canada 24 years ago.
FALCONETS SQUAD FOR FIFA U-20 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP POLAND 2026
Christiana Uzoma, Jane Ijirigho, Ramotalahi Kareem, Queen Joseph, Favour Nkwocha, Rebecca Adegbemile, Joy Igbokwe, Faridat Abdulwahab, Precious Oscar, Tumininu Adeshina, Bright Etim, Onyedikachi Ekezie, Victory Lucky, Mary Mamudu, Hannah Ibrahm, Tosin Rafiu, Janet Akekoromowei, Amber Ogbolu, Winner David, Chisom Nwachukwu, Jumai Adebayo.
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